During this time of social distancing and coronavirus restrictions, the chance to escape the indoors for exercise outside is a welcome relief. The question that has been on some people's minds is whether or not they can still go for walks or hikes in the state's national parks during this COVID-19 emergency. The short answer is yes, but it depends if the park has been closed due to another factor, for example bushfire damage. In March, the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) announced in a media release that the National Parks and Wildlife Service had closed its campgrounds, visitor centres, high-visitation areas and historic sites in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The closures remain in place until further notice, but national parks will "remain open to the community", the media release states. Importantly for hikers and wildlife-lovers, most walking tracks and trails will remain open. But the DPIE states "visitors should observe necessary social distancing with others while using pathways and other facilities to maximise their safety". "Parks that are already closed due to fire impacts remain closed," the DPIE said. "Please check our NPWS Alerts page for details. "As this is a rapidly changing situation, we ask visitors to check our website regularly for COVID-19 updates." Also, all roads through national parks remain open. The Bega Valley contains some of the most beautiful forests and national parks in the country and while some parks and trails have been closed due to the devastating Black Summer bushfire season others are still open for the community to enjoy. But ensure social distancing advice is observed, despite being on forest trails, and take the usual safety precautions for walking in nature before heading out. In this park the campgrounds and on-park accommodation are closed, as is the Scotts Bay picnic area. This park contains the Sandy Creek loop track that leaves from the Bournda Lagoon carpark, and the Kangarutha walking track that runs from Kianinny Bay in Tathra to Turingal Head carpark. The walking track up Mount Gulaga that leaves from Tilba Tilba is still accessible to the public. This park's four campgrounds are closed: Aragunnu, Middle Beach, Picnic Point and Gillards. Myer House is closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of visitors and staff. This park contains the Middle Lagoon walking track that starts at the Middle Beach carpark, the Mimosa Rocks walking track that leaves from the Aragunnu carpark, and the Wajurda Point walking track that leaves from the Moon Bay carpark. The southern section of this park, the Green Cape area, is closed until further notice due to bushfire damage and hazardous conditions. The Light to Light walk is closed due to hazardous conditions and bushfire damage. Also, the campgrounds and on-park accommodation are closed: Bittangabee, Green Cape lightstation keepers' cottages, Saltwater Creek and Telegraph Station bunkhouse. In this park there is the Pinnacles loop walking track which is south of Pambula, the Pambula River walking track that starts at the Pambula River mouth, and the Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach walking track that can be accessed from either Barmouth Beach or Haycock Point picnic area. The Bega Valley's national parks and nature reserves closed completely due to bushfire damage, and their current estimated closure dates, are:

National park campgrounds may have closed, but many walking trails remain open

People take in the view at the Disaster Bay lookout. Picture: Ben Smyth

During this time of social distancing and coronavirus restrictions, the chance to escape the indoors for exercise outside is a welcome relief.

The question that has been on some people's minds is whether or not they can still go for walks or hikes in the state's national parks during this COVID-19 emergency.

The short answer is yes, but it depends if the park has been closed due to another factor, for example bushfire damage.

In March, the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) announced in a media release that the National Parks and Wildlife Service had closed its campgrounds, visitor centres, high-visitation areas and historic sites in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

Moon Bay. Picture: Ben Smyth

The closures remain in place until further notice, but national parks will "remain open to the community", the media release states.

Importantly for hikers and wildlife-lovers, most walking tracks and trails will remain open.

But the DPIE states "visitors should observe necessary social distancing with others while using pathways and other facilities to maximise their safety".

"Parks that are already closed due to fire impacts remain closed," the DPIE said.

"As this is a rapidly changing situation, we ask visitors to check our website regularly for COVID-19 updates."

Also, all roads through national parks remain open.

The Bega Valley contains some of the most beautiful forests and national parks in the country and while some parks and trails have been closed due to the devastating Black Summer bushfire season others are still open for the community to enjoy.

But ensure social distancing advice is observed, despite being on forest trails, and take the usual safety precautions for walking in nature before heading out.

Bournda National Park

In this park the campgrounds and on-park accommodation are closed, as is the Scotts Bay picnic area.

This park contains the Sandy Creek loop track that leaves from the Bournda Lagoon carpark, and the Kangarutha walking track that runs from Kianinny Bay in Tathra to Turingal Head carpark.

Gulaga National Park

The walking track up Mount Gulaga that leaves from Tilba Tilba is still accessible to the public.

Mimosa Rocks National Park

This park's four campgrounds are closed: Aragunnu, Middle Beach, Picnic Point and Gillards.

Myer House is closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of visitors and staff.

This park contains the Middle Lagoon walking track that starts at the Middle Beach carpark, the Mimosa Rocks walking track that leaves from the Aragunnu carpark, and the Wajurda Point walking track that leaves from the Moon Bay carpark.

Ben Boyd National Park

The southern section of this park, the Green Cape area, is closed until further notice due to bushfire damage and hazardous conditions.

The Light to Light walk is closed due to hazardous conditions and bushfire damage.

In this park there is the Pinnacles loop walking track which is south of Pambula, the Pambula River walking track that starts at the Pambula River mouth, and the Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach walking track that can be accessed from either Barmouth Beach or Haycock Point picnic area.

Closed parks

The Bega Valley's national parks and nature reserves closed completely due to bushfire damage, and their current estimated closure dates, are: